Daily Archives: October 21, 2011

A pajama party during school hours? What could be better? Getting to hear a great story like Llama, Llama, Red Pajama and have a snack, that’s what.

Pre-K children came to school October 6 wearing their PJ’s as part of the Read for the Record campaign to promote literacy and the importance of reading as well as help solve America’s early education achievement gap.

Each year a book is designated in each state and school board members, city officials, community leaders, legislators and families pledge to sit down and read to children.

It’s encouraging to hear — even if it’s just a trickle at this point — that local government agencies are receptive to consolidation beyond the services delivered by the county to all citizens of Baker County.

If there is anything more apparent in this era of expanding services and declining revenues, it’s that duplicity needs to be eliminated wherever possible.

If this writer had his way, we’d already have consolidated county-city government. From a practical standpoint, it’ll likely take years but 2011 is a great time to start.

Mary died Saturday, October 15, 2001 at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Jacksonville after an extended illness. She was born in Lake Alfred and lived in Union and Baker Counties most of her life. She attended Union County High School.

Mrs. Richardson was the daughter of the late Drew and Edith Luke and was preceded in death by brother Earl Luke. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who always put her family first. She was always in the kitchen cooking. She loved her children and grandchildren dearly and was always a giving and caring person who would do anything for anybody. She was a member of Evangel Temple Church in Jacksonville.

Irene Louise Maxwell, 94, died October 16, 2011 in Macclenny with her family by her side.

She was born on May 16, 1917 in Auburn, Indiana and moved in 1959 to Jacksonville where she resided until 2007. She was a resident of Baker County with her son until the time of her death.

Irene will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother who loved to play Yahtzee and shop at Wal-Mart. She touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew her. She was predeceased by her loving husband Harlan D. Maxwell.

Survivors include sons Ronald (Judy) Maxwell and Richard (Cathy) Maxwell; daughter Patricia Maxwell Bryant; many grandchildren, great-grandchild­ren and other loving family members and friends. The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service from 9:15-9:45 on Thursday morning.

A graveside service for her will be held at 10 am Thursday, October 20 at Jacksonville Memory Gardens Cemetery with Brother Johnny Raulerson officiating. Jacksonville Memory Gardens Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.